Professional Development For Your Teachers By Your Teachers

Ellen LawrenceCarol Smith Katie AquinoHinsdale Township High School District 86www.hinsdale86.org

• What is Hinsdale Academy?• Inspired by FETC 2009• Conference style workshops – Designed for teachers– Presented by teachers

Our Academy

• Why?• What does it look like?• Lessons learned• Tips for success• Summary

Why?

• Authentic• Showcase teachers’ skills• Share new ideas learned at conferences• Training for new school initiatives• Continuing education and/or pay scale

benefits• Low cost for school

What Does it Look Like?

• Topics selected by teachers• Sessions taught by teachers or local vendors• 15 hours of training = 1 hour on district pay scale • Earn Professional Development Credits • Variety of formats– Summer– Institute Day– Prep periods– Cohorts

Summer Academy

• 2-3 days • 15 hours total contact time• 75 minute and ½ day sessions offered• Work time built in• Lunch options• Professional Development Credits and salary

schedule hour for attendees• Hourly pay for school presenters• Volunteer vendor presenters (Library databases,

Discovery Education and Barnes and Noble)

Summer Year One

Summer Year Two

Institute Day

• 1 day• 5 hours total contact time• 100 minute sessions• Work time built in• No lunch• Professional Development Credits for

participants and presenters• 1-2 hours paid prep time for presenters

Prep Period Tune Ups

• 1 day• 50 minutes total contact time• Hands on instruction• Utilize teacher release time = no additional

hourly pay or substitutes needed

After School Cohort

• 6 days• 15 hours total contact time• 2 ½ hour sessions• Work time built in• Snack provided by participants• Professional Development Credits and salary

schedule hour for attendees• Hourly pay for presenters

Lessons Learned

• Timing – Build in time for sharing– Consider offering ½ day sessions

• Space– Central location for check-in– Multiple locations for sessions

• Resources– Teacher availability– Electrical outlets

• Signage

Tips for Success

• Give them goodies– T-shirts– Food– Flash drives– Water bottles

• Start small, be creative• Look for local support

Summary

• Plan well in advance• Ask for teacher in-put• Choose topics directly related to the

classroom• Showcase teachers’ strengths• Schedule in work time to practice• Customize it to fit your school• Offer incentives, food & freebies!

Thank You!Thank You!

Contact us:Ellen Lawrence and

Katie Aquinolibrary@hinsdale86.org